Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Toyota 13th Generation Crown Series Minor Change

2011 Toyota Crown Royal Saloon



2011 Toyota Crown Athlete


2011 Toyota Crown Hybrid
Back in February 2008, the thirteenth-generation Crown was launched by Toyota Motor Corporation, giving the brand's most legendary sedan truly living it up by its legendary name. Aside from offering the sporty Athlete and the premium Royal Saloon, a Hybrid version is included to bring its green factor to its rival luxury hybrids.

Two years later, all three Crowns (the Athlete, Royal Saloon, and Hybrid) received a major facelift to keep this legendary Crown name updated, and relinquish the glory days of Toyota's legendary JDM executive sedan. On the outer side, three Crowns gained a refreshed look while remaining a status of being a thirteenth-generation model.

The Crown Royal Saloon boasts exceptional luxury on the front and back, with its elegant radiator grille, new wheels, and new rear lamps. The Crown Athlete gets even more aggressive with its new aggressive front grille, new bumper, sportier rims, and a sportier rear lamps, giving this sports executive vehicle something to bring a favor. The Crown Hybrid now looks more the same as the Crown Royal Saloon, but both the Crown logo and the Toyota logo shines in trademark Synergy Blue color, that is the trademark of Toyota hybrids. The interior remains the same in my opinion but updated to keep it fresh and alive for all three Crowns. The Athlete's interior gets even darker, the Royal Saloon's interior gets even lighter, and the Hybrid's interior, um, well, you'll do the rest.

The only change happened is the fuel efficiency of both the Athlete and the Royal Saloon, but only the 2.5L variants offered. At first, the 2.5L V6 (4GR-FSE) engine offers a fuel economy of 12.0km/L, but now, due to the "eco-car genzei" system, the fuel economy of the 4GR-FSE engine is improved with the new fuel economy of 12.4km/L, about 4km/L of increase to meet the regulations of being an eco-car under Japan's "eco-car genzei" system. The Athlete's 3.5L V6 (2GR-FSE), the Royal Saloon's 3.0L V6 (3GR-FSE), and the Hybrid's 2GR-FSE engine pretty remains the same, meaning nothing is new to those. Still, the Crown Athlete and Royal Saloon offers a 6-speed Automatic while the Hybrid offers only the CVT.

My thoughts about the Crown:
New look, same features. That is how I described the recently facelifted Crown Series (Athlete, Royal Saloon, and Hybrid) in a bold kind of way. Even the outside is new, nothing's really new about what's inside except the 2.5L V6 engine of both the Athlete and the Royal Saloon is updated to be more fuel efficient. My favorite Crown of the three Crowns is the Athlete series because it suits my likes for sports executive sedan, but still no sign of turbo yet until Modellista came up with the tuned version of the Crown Athlete, dubbed +M Supercharger.

Still, this Japan-only executive sedan truly living it up to its name as the most legendary executive sports sedan offered for the wealthy Japanese businessman. If it set worldwide, the Crown can outperform the likes of the Nissan Fuga, BMW 5-Series, MB E-Class, Lexus GS, or even the Hyundai Genesis sedan. I hope that Toyota Motor Philippines bring back the Crown name with that look or find it as a surplus in Subic, Cagayan, Davao, or Cebu very soon.



Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Another bad case of Toyota's mass recall

Another article I saw on the internet:

I am not really sure why the latest-generation Prius gets recalled due to some braking problems. Is it physical or technological? i think it's technological because of the software malfunction that causes braking problems for this so-called Super Hybrid Car.


Another news that the latest President & CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation (Japanese main HQ), the grandson of Sakichi Toyoda (the founder of the brand), Akio Toyoda held a press conference at Nagoya and deeply apologizing to the world that this brand is in the state of trouble. Therefore, he unveiled the brand's six point brand to bring Toyota Motor Corporation back to the game.

Full details at:

Every day, this brand used to be the world's largest automaker that defeated General Motors, but defeated by the Volkswagen Group,  recall and recall some more cars. Who knows if someone in the newspaper is doing the editorial cartoon, he'll draw a editorial cartoon regarding Akio Toyoda writing names of Toyota owners in his Death Note and die by fatal car accidents? Or is he dreaming that Toyota owners will die and soon that this dream happened? (Note: The dream part I wrote in this part is a reference to Rico from the famous teleserye that was recently ended last week, May Bukas Pa, as for those who watched the ending, Thank You, and God Bless You)

Now back to the recall hysteria, there is a possibility that most of the Toyota owners in the Philippines might suffer the setbacks from accelerator problems to the Prius' braking problems. Just when the article found via TV Patrol said:



Acknowledgement: I would like to thank my relatives who used to own a Toyota or recently driving a Toyota. I thank Kuya Jun (the service driver when I was at Elementary, used to drive a Toyota Tamaraw FX), Mang Johnny (another FX driver since I was high school), Davick Datul (driving a Toyota Corolla), Tito Danny (used to drive two Toyota cars, the Tamaraw FX and the Corolla, later switched to a Mitsubishi Adventure AUV), and Tita Charito (saw a Toyota Land Cruiser, recently drived by Kuya Bilog) for such feelings. Take Care.

In conclusion, that's why my cousin named Prolan (Prolan, if you are reading this, you're right) told me that Toyota means prisoner. And by prisoner, I contrasted this by the TV commercial titled "Human Touch" which is funny.



or the Toyota RAV4 commercial which is mostly funny to see.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Citroen DS3

Citroen DS3
This is the real force created from Citroen. The DS3 is not your everyday sports compact coupé destined to rise against the competition. This sports compact 3-door is the first of Citroen's new DS (meaning Different Spirit)range, a new range providing a striking design, impressive performance, and a completely new level of packaging, giving the brand slogan "créative technologie" out with the figurative, and in with the literate.

This is how customers can clearly claim that it can attack the Mini Cooper S within a single look because the exterior of the DS3 has a stylish two-tone color that is similar to the Mini Cooper, especially the style language that Citroen used for their concept cars in past motor shows and other production cars, including the new C3 as well.

There is good news for those who want to buy the DS3; personalization is the best aspect for the DS3 because customers can choose their own color combinations of the DS3, both inside and out. When the customer is done choosing their own color combination, the customer gets a personalized car key accessory that matches the owner's car color. The DS3's personalization is mostly like Lexus LS's L-Select program for Japanese customers, as they say it.

Being a Low Emission Vehicle is not a hindrance for the DS3 because this sports compact is available at five selectable engines; three gasoline engines (VTi 95, VTi 120 and THP 150) co-developed by BMW, and two HDi diesel engines (90bhp or 110bhp) with Citroën's DPFS. (Diesel Particulate Filter System) A 4-speed automatic, a 5-speed, or a 6-speed manual transmission provides customers which transmission is best suited for the DS3's taste. Most think that the 6-speed manual transmission is their best bet for the job because it gives them a little zest to this car.

My thoughts about the DS3:
With Citroen's Different Spirit range appeared, the DS3 is truly their first offering to this new line-up. With all the customizations and the engine choices, this is surely to be the top of Citroen for this year. With the competition still hanging up, the DS3 will surely send the competition to their grave. Like they said "out with the old, and in with the new”, the DS3 is surely a real force destined to rid of something retro.



Photo: Citroen

Thursday, February 4, 2010

A bad case of Toyota's mass recall

Last month, Toyota Motor Corporation made a recall on the best-selling models due to the case of the accelerator problems. I am not sure why they did this thing but it's for the safety of the Toyota owners.
The full details of the Toyota recall can be found at this site:
http://www.autoblog.com/toyota_recall/guide
The recall for all Toyota models started in the United States and now in Europe and Asia at the same time! I wonder if most of the latest Toyotas and Lexuses might be possible victims of the mass recall such as:

1. Toyota Alphard and Vellfire


トヨタ ヴェルファイア グレード比較 | オートックワン

2. Toyota iQ



3. Lexus RX & RX Hybrid



4. Toyota Crown Athlete, Royal, and Hybrid series



5. Toyota Crown Majesta



6. Toyota Wish

トヨタ ウィッシュ

7. Toyota Prius



8. Lexus IS Convertible



9. Lexus HS 250h



10. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado



11. Toyota Mark X



12. Toyota SAI



Ugh... the mass recall for all Toyota models turned those first-time car buyers a choice they make... Recalls come in advantages and disadvantages. Just what if the extinct Toyota car which was loved by Filipinos, known as the Tamaraw FX (also the Tamaraw FX Revo), also joins the recall? Who knows?
I hope everything would be OK for Toyota, despite this automaker is facing drastic measures...

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate

2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG T-Modell
For those who remember the aesthetics of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG in sedan form, the E63 AMG gets even more space with the Estate variant! Premiered in Frankfurt since September and destined for European sale in February, the same raw feeling of the E63 AMG with the spaciousness of the E-Class Estate combined into one beastly machine with the spacious feeling.

From the outer view of the E63 AMG Estate, you can really see this monstrous wagon fitted with the same AMG treatment you will find on the sedan variant. Aside from the monstrous exterior, the 6.2-litre V8 Natural Aspiration Engine is truly a corporate muscle for this grand touring sports wagon. With 525PS of power, top speed of 250km/h, and a split 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds, the E63 AMG Estate still has the breath-taking experience that the sedan variant have. Not only that, the Speedshift 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters adds fun for this muscular touring wagon, because the driver can also set the transmission from automatic to manual for an added challenge. To make things interesting for the E63 AMG Wagon, there are several options to adjust from, giving hardcore drivers some thrilling experiences which are fun to experiment on city roads to race tracks.

My thoughts about the E63 AMG Estate:
With the estate-like look and the sports car-like feel, the new E63 AMG Estate is truly a monstrous muscle built for real men. Other sports wagons cannot stand a chance by muscling in to this muscular Autobahn monster that releases 500 horses and almost 300km/h of top speed. Be warned, this sports wagon has the respect from Mercedes-Benz's AMG division, and you will never take it away.



Photo: Autoblog

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Phantom Minds



After moments for Lyrical Nanoha fans experienced Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st, that was showed in Japanese theaters since January 23, they'll just can't get enough on listening the official opening theme song from this movie, Phantom Minds, sung by the seiyuu of Fate Testarossa from the Lyrical Nanoha series, Nana Mizuki.

This maxi single CD is packed with the official opening theme song of this movie, plus the other three songs sung by this lovely seiyuu which fans love to listen this maxi single CD everywhere. Forget the other three songs included in this CD, I'll talking about my reaction of this song;

This song is definitely a must-listen not only for the Lyrical Nanoha series fans, but also die-hard fans of Nana Mizuki-san herself. It packs a lot of powerful tempo, dynamic tones, and the lyrics which fans of Nana Mizuki find it enjoyable all over. Although I must say, this is truly the best Nana Mizuki song ever listened! Although, the song, Phantom Minds, is one of the best Nana Mizuki songs ever listened by fans, you'll just can't stop humming over the song's powerful and majestic tone over and over again.

I guess this song is too good for those who have already watched Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st, and the odds is definitely higher than Yukari Tamura's My Wish My Love, which of course the official closing song for this movie.

Renault-Samsung SM5 -Full Model Change-

2010 Renault Samsung SM5 (L43)

The true rival to the recent Hyundai YF Sonata and the upcoming Kia K5 (Optima or Magentis) sedan is now set to prove even the smallest Korean automaker can easily rise from the everyday challenges in this economy. For Renault's Korean arm, Renault-Samsung Motors, the all-new SM5 was born.

Let us take a history class, shall we? The SM5 was originally a Nissan Cefiro based sedan with some minor alterations to the front and back. This car was launched in March 1998. Then in January 2005, a month after its big brother, the prestigious SM7 (based on the Nissan Teana) was released, the Cefiro-based SM5 was modified into a Nissan Teana-based SM5, having the design borrowed from the Teana but with different Korean aspects to fulfill customer satisfaction. Now, in January 18, 2010, the new SM5's design was original and it was not based on the Nissan Teana. This new model borrowed some aspects from the Renault Laguna, and it gives some new mods, new exterior and new interior similar to the Renault Laguna.

At its maiden appearance, most Koreans consider the SM5 as the brand's status symbol thanks to its unquestionable personality and performance. Of course, the previous design was mostly Japanese because it was an OEM version of the Teana, but now on its third generation, the SM5's design is truly Euro-Korean, thanks to appearance that looks similar to the Kia Lotze facelift, but still, it is undeniable that you want to take a test drive for your taste. As for the interior, the SM5 boasts exceptional luxury with an array of premium features such as the rear side curtains, DMB navigation system, Samsung Super Plasma Ion air con, and Arkamys 3D Sound System. These features are sure enough for the seasoned SM5 owner to take advantage of its newly evolved form.

With the CVT as its main weapon, the new SM5 is powered with the 2.0L CVTC-II L4 engine capable of releasing 141PS of power and the fuel economy of 12.1km/Litre. Sadly, the new SM5's engine was not fit enough to take down the fuel economy of the Hyundai YF Sonata and the Kia K5, which means the new SM5 has a dent on its newly found performance.

My thoughts about the SM5:
The new SM5's design was revised to be original, and it no longer became the copycat of the Japanese Nissan Teana sedan (almost, because they still selling the Teana-based SM7) that others find it confusing. I am glad to see the brand's first step to succeed from the local stage to the world stage. However, will the brand level up to become one of Korea's finest automobile manufacturers with this new form? With the pricing of about 20,800,000 - 26,500,000 Korean Won (about 900,000 - 1.2 Million Philippine Pesos), it is clearly that the SM5 is a smart buy for medium sedan consumers. Let us hope that the new SM5 will hit the European market sometime as a Renault, or we want to have our own Renault-Samsung distributor in the Philippines to experience this one-of-a-kind machine.




Audi R8 Spyder

Audi's première sports car, the R8, still proves that this is the greatest Satanic road mauler adults urinate themselves in fear. But the fear over the German behemoth is now also in convertible form. This convertible version of the R8 made its début at the 2009 IAA in Frankfurt, Germany.









Audi's new R8 Spyder carries the same semblance of dualism, as seen on the regular coupé form, while taking the heat (or wind) of the convertible at the same pace. Surely, this is the monster every sports car fanatics bow down before the supercar's might, the R8 Spyder only carries the high-revving 5.2 FSI V10 engine, which is capable of releasing over 500 PS of power and the 0-100km/h runtime of below four seconds. With the V10 engine equipped, this Autobahn behemoth is truly a spectacle among enthusiasts, waiting to get their pants urinated for fear.

My Thoughts about the R8 Spyder:
Designed as an open-top road mauler for adults, the R8 Spyder might strike others to put this car to the list of fearsome creatures. Although the fearsome V10 FSI engine is the only engine available for this monster, it is surprising that the R8 Spyder is a twisted metal machine that strikes fear on the highway. Once you are inside, you will never get out of this road-killing sports car that surprises other people on a Saturday night, despite the pricing is just under 170,000 Euros. (11 Million Pesos)

Have fun enjoying this exotic sports car with a true evil heart and soul inside.



Source: http://leopauldelr.multiply.com/reviews/item/200

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works

Started as an adult game created by Type-Moon, adapted into a 24-episode anime that was aired in Japan by TBS, and distributed worldwide to please international otakus, serialized as a manga, made possible by Kadokawa Shoten, and now, the much anticipated motion picture event of the year is now showing at theaters all over Japan. In my opinion, this movie adaptation of the game-turned anime-turned manga is the cunning rival to the sensational Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st. (Despite the fact that both of these anime movies slotted the same January 23 date, as you say it)



Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works pools out the entire 24-episode anime, loaded with cinematic special effects, improved music score made possible by Kenji Kawai (who is also behind the BGMs of the Death Note trilogy movies), add something that is never been told in the original TV series, and lastly, surprises the entire Fate fans with the intense feeling they will surely never forget.

The story is simple (for those who didn't saw the original or those who wanted to tell it again), it chronicles about a teenager named Shiro Emiya, who wanted to achieve justice that his stepfather failed to do. What he did not realize that this town named Fuyuki is the battleground for the masters, which Shiro was one of them. Each master has his or her own servant (Saber, Archer, Lancer, Berserker, Rider, Assassin, and Caster) to join alongside with and the goal is simple: only one pair will win and take the power of the Holy Grail. Saber, a servant, was the servant who saved Shiro's life from the attacks of the servant Lancer, and henceforth greeted him with the question:
are you my Master?

So this is how the titanic movie begins. I may not tell you what just happened to the whole movie, but I'll tell you how the movie feels. The fight scenes were great, these battles you saw on the original anime series were greatly upgraded for cinematic perfection. Aside from the battles, fans will grow fetishism over Saber and Rin Tohsaka, which in fact Rin was also one of the masters whose the servant Archer joins alongside with her. Most Fate fans who watched the movie might say, "Hey, this movie is cooler than the anime I've watched", "Rin is one of my favorite characters, thanks to her tsundere personality", "Saber is number one!" and much more words that most Fate fans might post it in their Facebooks, tweeting this once-in-a-lifetime moment on Twitter, having their say on 2channel, and everything.

The song that completes FSN:UBW is none other than Sachi Tainaka's new song, titled Imitation. Although the song for the movie is more powerful and delivers a massive punch to their overall enthusiasm, it still can't keep up with the Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st's opening song, Phantom Minds, sung by Nana Mizuki. For those who wanted to find that song titled Imitation by Sachi Tainaka, the only album you can find is the Ricordanza: Fate/ stay night TV Song Collection, which is on sale now, and made possible by Geneon Universal Entertainment.

If you're done watching the movie, two Blu-ray discs that covers the whole 24-episode anime, packed with new special features, perfect sound, and perfect picture, is up for grabs. Both of them are on sale and packed with the arranged Sachi Tainaka's Disillusion song, titled Disillusion 2010.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st




From the success of the three Lyrical Nanoha seasons (from the first one to the StrikerS story), comics as seen on the premiere Japanese anime and video game bishoujo magazine, Megami Magazine, and the PlayStation Portable video game that was already on sale all over the Japanese market, the ultimate treat for all Lyrical Nanoha fans is the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle fans would remember it forever. Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st (日本名:魔法少女リリカルなのはthe Movie 1st) revolves on the first Lyrical Nanoha season that was aired in Japanese televisions since 2004, and packed with remastered graphics and never before told stories give Nanoha fans some thrills and squeals while taking a gander on the epic battle between Nanoha Takamachi (voiced by Yukari Tamura) and Fate Testarossa (voiced by Nana Mizuki) in the quest to find and seal the Jewel Seeds. Since everyone's in the theater, they are ready to anticipate the difference of the first Lyrical Nanoha season to Japan's most anticipating thrill ride event of the year, Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st leaves fans hearing both Nanoha and Fate's battle cry with cinematic clarity than the television series. (You know what that means) From its majestic special effects, rewritten storyline and expected moe-ism over Nanoha and Fate, Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st blasts the movie viewers with more action, more drama, more laughs, and of course, more kawaii-ness.

Because of the Lyrical Nanoha series tradition of having Fate's seiyuu, Nana Mizuki, opens the show with the song while Nanoha's seiyuu, Yukari Tamura, closes the show with a song, the opening theme song for the movie, Phantom Minds, sung by Nana Mizuki, is an explosive welcome for those who are ready to watch the movie from the beginning, and Yukari Tamura ends Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st with a song, titled My Wish My Love. As a matter of fact, most fans love the opening theme because, can you yell "I LOVE NANA MIZUKI'S NEW SONG" in Japanese? If so, good luck listening to this song 20 or more times!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Battle of Aces

With Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st's showing date in Japan is just a few days left, fans of the Lyrical Nanoha series braced themselves for the PSP game based on the second Lyrical Nanoha season (known as Lyrical Nanoha A's) and it is a "much talked" on the premiere Japanese anime and video game bishoujo magazine, the Megami Magazine. For some reason, Megami Magazine keep posting updates on what's going on behind the scenes of the Lyrical Nanoha series' first video game available on PSP.

Despite being a one-on-one versus game, the game play of Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable may somewhat similar to some unlockable content from PS2's Zone Of The Enders video game, meaning you can control your character everywhere while dodging the other player's attacks. From here, you can use attacks, block the other player's attacks, or break the player's defenses, giving yourself the advantage to attack it either normal or magical attacks. Please note that the MP gauge will decrease when using your character's special attack and attacking your other player with normal attacks only recharges the MP gauge, giving you some advantage or some strategy to knock down your opponent, before your opponent knocks you down first!

There are nine playable characters to choose from:

- Nanoha Takamachi (CV: Yukari Tamura)

- Fate Testarossa (CV: Nana Mizuki)

- Hayate Yagami (CV: Kana Ueda)

- Chrono Harlaown (CV: Mikako Takahashi)

- Reinforce: The Book of Darkness (CV: Sanae Kobayashi)

- Signum (CV: Kaori Shimizu)

- Vita (CV: Asami Sanada)

- Shamal (CV: Ryoko Yuzuki)

- Zafira (CV: Kazuya Ichijo)

Tip for first-timers: Customization is vital for your character, because when you customize your character's skills such as defense, attack, speed, and every one of the stats, it will give you the opportunity to win against your opponent. It's basic for the ad-hoc versus mode, and prove you got what it takes!

Limited Edition: Nanoha fans better be hurry up to avail this rare Lyrical Box limited edition set. This limited edition not only includes the UMD for the game, but also some of the paraphernalia such as the Nanoha Takamachi figure (made possible by Good Smile Company), three-set posters with Nanoha, Fate and Hayate, big-sized Nanoha towel, reversible pouch, cleaning cloth with the picture of Nanoha versus Fate that looks like the actual gameplay, decoration sticker set, and the visual archive book that has more about this game. Best to be hurry because the Lyrical Box has very limited availability.

One More Thing: The CV of Fate Testarossa, Nana Mizuki, provides the opening theme for the video game, while Nanoha Takamachi's CV, Yukari Tamura, providing the ending theme of the video game, keeping the tradition of the Lyrical Nanoha series of having Fate's seiyuu doing the opening while Nanoha's seiyuu doing the closing song, but they'll also expecting it on Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st, showing in Japanese cinemas this Saturday.

More at the game's official site (Japanese Only):http://nanoha.namco-ch.net/

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The battle of the "Korean car designs"

With the "Peter Schreyer design" plunged all over Kia Motors since the face-lifted Lotze/Optima/Magentis takes place since June 2008, and the fluidic sculpture from Hyundai taken the new role since the face-lifted Verna/Accent Korean Domestic Model sedan takes place since last year of June, most car enthusiasts with the passion of Korean cars can't tell the difference which Korean car design will prevail. To the eyes of the enthusiast, one must think about which design will win....

BUT WHICH WILL PREVAIL?


Kia's new Peter Schreyer design?


or


Hyundai's fluidic sculpture?




Before you decide, here are some explanations on both of these designs:


From the Kia side, when Peter Schreyer takes place as the new design chief of Kia Motors, he revolutionize Kia's new design platform with the form of the H-grille. It was introduced on some concept cars and production models such as this:






and on the Hyundai side, the fluidic sculpture is an abundance on most concept cars in past auto shows and now, this new design language is applied in most models:



Now, you know...

With the new look of these Korean car makers, there is no surprising that these two Korean car designs is truly a battle of wits. It's quite a spectacle for me who wanted to take a look on these designs. I can't wait to see who wins...